Weblogs and Personal Stories

Personal accounts, stories, blog posts, weblogs, photos, about the September 11, 2001 attacks - 9/11 attacks to the WTC, World Trade Centers in New York, the Pentagon, Flight 93, and related US terrorist attacks.

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Personal Stories From Victims Inside the WTC or Pentagon

These stories are from those who were fortunate enough to escape the World Trade Center or the Pentagon September 11th, 2001. Also included are links to firsthand accounts from Flight 93 passengers as shared from transcripts and personal conversations with loved ones and 911 operators.

Across the Street from the WTCThis person worked right across from the WTC and was in his office when the first plane crashed into one of the WTC towers. Like others, he’s lucky to be alive and has an incredible story, including stopping to help someone seriously injured (even though his own life was also being threatened).

[Artie Van Why, New York, N.Y., Advocate.com]

Brother, if you don’t mind . . . Tells his story of escaping from World Trade Center Building 7, aftermath, and treatment of Pakastani community since the attack. The author is 21 years old, has a finance degree from Bentley, is Pakastani and Muslim. A compelling story and eye-opener about the discrimination and treatment of this community, too.

Flight 93 StoryExcerpt from Let’s Roll! Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage, by Lisa Beamer with Ken Abraham. This is the heart-wrenching but amazingly inspirational story of the passengers on Flight 93 who courageously fought the hijackers before the plane crashed in Pennsylvania 9/11. Their courage and bravery in such a horrific hijacking situation ended up diverting the plane away from its intended target in Washington, D.C. This story provides quotes from several passengers during the hijacking, 911 calls to the ground and calls to loved ones. Incredibly compelling. [9/11/01 Todd Beamer, the passengers of Flight 93, 911 operators, and the passengers' loved ones]

Last One Out AliveThis personal story is all about being trapped in an elevator at the WTC and finally escaping within seconds before the building imploded. Another incredible story by an amazingly brave person.

Stories of September 11Thousands of stories contributed to the September 11 Digital Archive—personal accounts of survival from the World Trade Centers and Pentagon, being nearby and more personal survival stories. As of September 2004, more than 10,000 stories have been contributed.

Personal Accounts, Weblogs

The listings below include stories of so many who witnessed or were in New York or Washington, D.C. September 11th, many of whom ran for their lives near the WTC or Pentagon. Some of these listings also include numerous stories that include those who escaped the WTC or Pentagon. Other listings are to share stories about where you were and the impact of these events on people’s lives.

911by Jeffrey Zeldman. Jeffrey tells of what it’s like being there, living there, trying to breathe, trying to do anything within a normal routine. I won’t give the rest away. Definitely a must read.

Aboard Flight 564A tremendous story about what we should all be doing as passengers. Fantastic. Must read this one! Update September 2004: This story in the Washington Times must now be purchased before viewing.

Rossi RantAmazingly wonderful writing about witnessing the towers burning, then imploding, being right in downtown. Life all around, and she includes stories from others, too. She helped cook and feed the volunteers in the days to follow.

[09/11/01+, Rossi Rant]

saranwarp - wrap me up in itFirst hand accounts of watching the WTC attacks from a rooftop in Brooklyn beginning with 9:30 A.M. entry and many throughout the day. The 09/12/01 10:05 A.M. entry has interesting insight and thoughts by this New Yorker who is of American and Arab descent expressing thoughts about the attacks and people’s responses toward Arabs.

[09/12/01 dori mondon]

Sept 11 JournalPersonal account of being in NY City and watching the towers attacked and collapse. Photos before and after (interesting comparison!), other stories there, too, and links to government officials to contact.

Talk to MePersonal story experience in New York Times Magazineby Lauren Slater.

[09/23/01 New York Times]

The Fine Lineby Bob of The Fine Line. A riveting account with amazing photos as he walked to work only to find the world had changed. Lots of photographs (including a thumbnail page), maps of the aftermath, his experience of what happened.

See also his Six months later... post that provides tremendous perspective on the survivors and what they’re dealing with 6 months after the attacks.

[09/11/01, 9/12/01, 02/11/02 Bob]

The Tin ManJeff reflects on daily life in New York around the WTC, how much of a mainstay it was in his life, how he was there every day, saw it every day, and much more. Another riveting weblog entry about the day’s events.

[09/12/01 jeff]

UltraSparky!Witnessed the explosions, was right nearby. Lots of links to other friends, too.

“I think I lost about 100 friends today. I can't count them. I keep breaking down. I don't think that I have ever been so sad and cried so much. I don't know if I will ever be the same . . .”[09/11/01 7:31 PM by James Marino